Toscano M J., Friend T H.
Department of Animal Science, 2471 TAMUS, Texas A&M University, 77843-2471, College Station, TX, USA
Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2001 Aug 27;73(4):281-287. doi: 10.1016/s0168-1591(01)00149-6.
Several studies have attempted to determine the effects of orientation on a horse's ability to maintain balance during transportation. The results have often been contradictory because of differences in trailer design and lack of simultaneous comparisons. In this study, three replications of two forward-facing and two rear-facing horses were transported at the same time over a standardized course to allow for simultaneous comparisons. Each animal's total forward and backward motion during transport was calculated to estimate the effect of orientation on the horses' ability to maintain balance. The course consisted of four laps around a 3.6-km rectangular course, each lap reversing direction, totaling 14.4km. To mimic realistic travel, the course had artificial bumps, three turns (90 degrees, 45 degrees, and 135 degrees ), five straight-aways, and a hard stop at the end of each lap. Four horses were transported over the course in 3.7mx2.4m stalls mounted in-line on a 16-m long commercial straight-deck trailer (16 wheels). At the end of the first run (four laps), the orientation of each horse, two forward and two rear-facing, was reversed for a second run. Twelve horses were transported in each of the two orientations. Movement was recorded using video cameras positioned perpendicular to the horse's side. Movement while forward-facing ranged from 4.75 to 34.48m, averaging 12.95m; when rear-facing, movement ranged from 8.13 to 35.21m, averaging 16.99m, and was not statistically influenced by orientation (P=0.1219) due to high variation. Certain horses did demonstrate a superior ability to maintain balance in a particular orientation. Thus individual characteristics and other factors may play a larger role than orientation alone in the ability of horses to maintain balance during transport.
多项研究试图确定运输过程中马匹的朝向对其保持平衡能力的影响。由于拖车设计的差异以及缺乏同步比较，研究结果常常相互矛盾。在本研究中，两匹朝前和两匹朝后的马同时在标准化路线上运输三次，以便进行同步比较。计算每匹马在运输过程中的前后总移动距离，以评估朝向对马匹保持平衡能力的影响。路线包括围绕一个3.6公里的矩形路线跑四圈，每圈改变方向，总计14.4公里。为模拟实际运输情况，路线设有模拟颠簸、三个弯道（90度、45度和135度）、五个直道，并且在每圈结束时有急刹车。四匹马被安置在一个16米长的商用直甲板拖车上（16个轮子），以3.7米×2.4米的马厩形式排成一列运输。在第一次运行（四圈）结束时，每匹马的朝向（两匹朝前和两匹朝后）进行反转，进行第二次运行。每种朝向各运输12匹马。使用垂直于马身侧面放置的摄像机记录移动情况。朝前时的移动距离在4.75米至34.48米之间，平均为12.95米；朝后时，移动距离在8.13米至35.21米之间，平均为16.99米，由于变化较大，未受到朝向的统计学影响（P = 0.1219）。某些马确实在特定朝向中表现出更强的保持平衡能力。因此，在马匹运输过程中保持平衡的能力方面，个体特征和其他因素可能比朝向单独发挥的作用更大。
